If the Kings-Oilelers series Were a fight for the title instead of a series of hockey playoff series, even a blind referee could consider stopping it.
Through three games, the kings have been outdated, stuffed, outhit and have ahead of it. Boy, were they upgraded: Edmonton led the opening of the first round series twice by four goals and the Oilers won the match 3 Friday by five, 6-1.
The kings killing was deadly … for the Kings, because the oilers have marked seven times in 14 opportunities for men. The Kings, on the other hand, were excluded on their 10 power games.
Choose any statistics and the chances are that the Oilers have a great advantage.
Except one.
For all of Edmonton's domination, the Oilers lead the best seven series by only one match, which means that the Kings can even climb the canvas to win the match 4 Sunday evening at Crypto.com Arena.
“I know with certainty that it is two for them, one for us,” said Kings coach Jim Hiller. “And you need four victories for the series.”
In other words, it is not over until it is finished – even if look really As if it was over. It is, apparently, the history of the Kings and they stand there.
“It is 2 to 1 in the series,” said defender Matt Roy. “We could have lost 10-1. It doesn't matter. It's just 2-1 and we're going to bounce back and we prepare to leave.”
“There are things you can learn from any game, win or lose,” he continued. “So we're going to take a look at things and start from there.”
The Kings have already been here, of course, losing against the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs each of the last two years. It is not really encouraging. Two years ago, they shared their first two eliminatory games with the Oilers on the road, then lost match 3 at home by six goals. Through three games in this series, the Kings had been upgraded 17-6.
This year, the Kings shared the first two games with the Oilers on the road, then lost the game 3 at home by five goals. Through three games in this series, the Kings were upgraded 17-10.
In the locker rooms of the Kings, it does not matter.
“As I said, it is 2 to 1,” said Roy. “We are still in the series, we did not go out. And no one will leave here. “
However, the Kings clearly have a lot of work to do and a little precious time to do so.
To start, they have to button a penalty killing that ranked second in the NHL, but has given up as many electric play goals in three playoff games as in its last 11 regular season games. And the team has not been able to slow down, must stop less, the trio of Zach Hyman's Oilers, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who combined for five goals and three assists in the rout of match 3 and have 10 goals and 13 assists in the series.
Then there is the power game of the Kings, which is aimed in the playoffs.
“I am not worried, to be honest,” said striker Kevin Fiala. “Obviously, these three games are not good, but we are a good power game. We have (we have) good players and we will understand it.
“The last three games that we have not been connected. Usually, we see ourselves almost blindly and the movement of the washer is much faster than it is at the moment. As I said, I am not worried. We are going, that's for sure, to understand it.”
Perhaps, but the frustration of the Kings clearly boiled during the third period on Friday when they took 12 penalties, one for the fighting, one for anti-sport driving, one for an illegal head check, two for misconduct and five to sketch.
At least they fought. It would be difficult to say that they did a lot during the first period.
“I don't know, from the start, I have the impression that we are not there,” said Fiala. “They were hungry. You just have to be ready. “
Then Fiala repeated the mantra of the team: “It's a match. Obviously, we wanted this one and they wanted it.
“But, you know, at the moment, it is 2 to 1. we have to think positive. We have to look at certain things and we have to get better. And we will.”
A victory on Sunday and the series is even, the Kings continued to repeat. What has become tacit is that a loss means that the series will be almost over.
